20mph limit aims to improve pupil safety

Crowle Primary headteacher Anna Cvijetic and members of the school council look at plans for parking restrictions outside their school. Back l-r are Grace Kaye, nine, Caitlin Young, and Amy Thornton, both ten. Front l-r are Lewis Parkin, Lyla Wroot, both seven, and Bradley Hall, ten. Picture: Liz Mockler E1610LM

Published:06:00Saturday 09 February 2013

AN Isle headteacher has welcomed plans to reduce the speed limit outside her school which she hopes will reduce the risk of injury to children.

A consultation period has officially been launched into plans to reduce the limit outside Crowle Primary Academy after a pupil was in collision with a car.

Headteacher Anna Cvijetic said it was important for the zone to be introduced along Manor Road to prevent accidents and reduce congestion at the beginning and end of the school day.

She said: “The issue isn’t really about speed, it’s about parking,

“Last year a child was hit by a car - they weren’t hurt seriously, but it was a sign of how serious the situation had become.

“Once the 20mph zone is in place, people are stopped from parking outside the school and that is our main concern. Anyone who ignores the parking rules can be punished by law.”

Mrs Cvijetic said the school had been involved in the process for the lower limit to be introduced from the outset.

“We really do feel the children are at risk,” she said.

“We have done an awful lot of work in school to try and inform parents about the dangers of parking outside school - we’ve held special assemblies and issued newsletters.”

As well as a reduced speed limit and parking restrictions the plans also include proposals for high profile signs to be erected.

The consultation started this week and runs until February 21. Ward councillors and MP Andrew Percy are also involved in the process.

A spokesman for North Lincolnshire Council said: “The measures will address safety concerns outside the school and formalise parking in the area.

“It is proposed for enforceable parking restrictions, high profile signs and road markings to be implemented, as well as an advisory 20mph speed limit on a section of Windsor Road.”

Mr Percy said: “I would urge residents to make their views known. Sometimes, these schemes need tweaking in response to resident concerns so we would welcome any feedback.”